The Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale has leveled serious accusations against Hon. Amish Chinnia Issahaku, the Deputy Minister of the Upper West Region.
In a heated discussion on GHOne TV with host Serwaa Amihere, Basintale alleged that Issahaku has been involved in various acts of corruption and misuse of state property.
He claimed that Issahaku had acquired government land in Tumu for his radio station and was also developing a filling station on another piece of government land near the Tumu stadium.
“His radio station is on a land in Tumu that belonged to the local assembly. How did he acquire that land?” Basintale questioned. “As we speak now, he’s putting up a filling station there. How did he acquire that land?”
Furthermore, Basintale accused Issahaku of awarding a road contract worth 12 million cedis to a company formed by his relatives, including his brother, driver, and cousin. The contract, meant for projects in Tumu and Sissala, has allegedly been abandoned despite the mobilization funds being taken.
“They captured all the projects in Tumu, Sissala, his constituency, and decided to execute it as one family,” Basintale stated. “What saddened my heart, Serwaa, is that after awarding contracts to his own brother, they took mobilization and failed to do their work.”
Additionally, Basintale accused Issahaku of misappropriating farm inputs under the Planting for Food and Jobs campaign. According to Basintale, Bato Wese accessed farm inputs under the Planting for Food and Jobs campaign but failed to pay the full amount due, resulting in a debt of 1.3 million cedis to the government. Furthermore, Basintale alleged that a significant portion of these farm inputs were smuggled to foreign countries, depriving local farmers of essential resources.
“I read a letter that was written to his minister, telling him as deputy minister to pay the balance they were owing to the government,” Basintale disclosed. “Farm inputs that were meant for his constituents, he alone went and collected them and denied his constituents access.”
These allegations have raised questions about the integrity and accountability of Hon. Amish Chinnia Issahaku, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the claims.
However, Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, the Member of Parliament for Sissala East Constituency has also addressed the allegations made by Maleek Basintale, the NDC’s Communications Officer.
Chinnia defended his actions, asserting, “There is no law in Ghana that says that buying a state asset is a crime. If there is any such law, let anybody point me to it.” He clarified that the land next to the minister’s bungalow, which he owns, was not state land but purchased from a University for Development Studies (UDS) lecturer.
Maleek Basintale challenged Chinnia on the purchase of the land where his radio and filling stations are situated, claiming they were government lands. Chinnia admitted to buying these lands but maintained that it was not a crime, emphasizing, “If it is a crime, at least you let me know.”
The MP further argued that acquiring state assets through proper procedures is lawful and not limited to government appointees. He cited historical precedents where NDC officials, including former President John Dramani Mahama, acquired state properties. “The NDC under Mills and Mahama sold the Atlantic Hotel, Star Hotel, and Continental Hotel. Ghacem Ghana Limited was sold by John Mahama and the NDC,” Chinnia asserted.
Chinnia criticized the NDC’s position, calling it hypocritical and inconsistent with their past actions. He stated, “If buying state assets means state capture, then the NDC has no moral right to make those claims.” He urged those who believe he committed a crime to provide evidence and pursue legal action.
The controversy has sparked debate over the ethics and legality of state asset acquisitions by government officials, highlighting ongoing political tensions in Ghana.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah
